I've been covering the combine since at least 1997, when a few reporters huddled in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza, stripped of furniture so the media would not damage it. I can't remember being more captivated by some of the draft's top stars as this year. Tennessee safety Eric Berry, Florida cornerback Joe Haden and Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy were well-spoken, funny, intelligent and passionate about the game.

Desperately seeking receivers, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Donte' Stallworth didn't have any ''magic words'' that convinced them to sign him after a year's suspension from the NFL.

Harbaugh said at the NFL Scouting Combine that it was Stallworth's dazzling workout that convinced the Ravens to give him a chance. According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, Stallworth ran a 4.4 40-yard dash, the fastest time ever recorded on Baltimore's notoriously slow SportGrass surface.

It was presumed that the Browns' four-game winning streak to finish a 5-11 season in 2009 knocked them out of the running for University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.

But Browns General Manager Tom Heckert didn't rule out trading up from No. 7 in the April 22-24 NFL Draft. That might be necessary if the Browns covet Bradford, who could go No. 1 to St. Louis, or perhaps Tennessee free safety Eric Berry.

Case Western quarterback Dan Whalen of Willoughby South High School is the latest client of Dayton-based agent Ron Todd to make the combine rounds without an invitation, like Akron native Rob Adamson of Mount Union did several years ago.

Earning a degree in English and hoping to become a sports writer, Whalen worked as a Browns public relations intern in 2009, getting quotes from the opposing quarterback and transcribing them on game day.

Although Mark Sanchez is currently rehabbing his left knee after undergoing partially arthroscopic surgery earlier this month, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum continues to tout the USC quarterback who led them to the AFC championship game in his rookie season.

The Jets traded up with the Browns for the fifth pick in the draft to select Sanchez, who started only one season for the Trojans.

Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland was pleased with the development of former Ohio State and GlenOak receiver Brian Hartline during his rookie season in 2009.

Hartline, selected in the fourth round, finished with 31 catches for 506 yards and a team-leading three touchdowns. He became the first Dolphin rookie to lead the team in touchdown receptions since Chris Chambers had seven in 2001. Hartline's 16.3 yards per catch also led Dolphins receivers, which include 2007 first-round pick Ted Ginn Jr. of Ohio State and Glenville High School. (Ginn averaged 11.95 yards on 38 catches with 1 receiving TD).

Browns left tackle Joe Thomas is one of four Pro Bowlers who will visit U.S. troops at military bases in Southwest Asia, the team announced.

Joining Thomas on the USO's week-long tour will be San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. Thomas will chronicle the experience in a blog on clevelandbrowns.com.

Browns president Mike Holmgren said he is still laying the foundation of his relationship with coach Eric Mangini, whom he elected to keep for a second season.

But Holmgren still seems to feel the need to defend that decision to the national media. That seemed the underlying vibe when a few members of the national media caught Holmgren in the hallway of Lucas Oil Stadium Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

New Browns president Mike Holmgren would not give a list of the Browns' off-season priorities as he leads the team's contingent to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, which opens Wednesday and runs through Tuesday.

''We have a number of needs on this football team,'' Holmgren said last week, revealing nothing. But he said the needs are not skewed more heavily on one side of the ball, citing the fact that the offense finished last in the league in 2009 and the defense was 31st.

Jason La Canfora | NFL NetworkThe Browns and agents for Joshua Cribbs have agreed to the framework of a new three-year contract that would replace Cribbs' current deal that has three years remaining, Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network reported Thursday.

Negotiations continue on the amount of guaranteed money. According to La Canfora, Cribbs wants around $10 million guaranteed, but the Browns have offered half of that. La Canfora said multi-layered bonuses and incentives based on his various roles have been agreed upon. It is also possible that the Browns might add option years.

The Browns terminated the contract of running back Jamal Lewis, the team announced Wednesday.

Lewis, 30 and a 10-year veteran, announced after the Nov. 1 game at Chicago that he was playing his final season, even though he had a year remaining on his contract. Lewis was placed on injured reserve Dec. 2 with post-concussion symptoms that he said stemmed from a hit during the 2009 opener against Minnesota.

Tom Headlee, who spent the past 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff, has joined the Browns as a pro scout.

Nine of those 10 years in Seattle, Headlee worked under new Browns president Mike Holmgren, first as a coaching assistant, then as a defensive quality control coach. Headlee is a 2000 graduate of Washington State University.

New Browns president Mike Holmgren may have completed his staff Tuesday with the hiring of Gil Haskell as his senior advisor.

Haskell coached with Holmgren for 15 seasons, including nine with the Seattle Seahawks as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Haskell also worked under Holmgren with the Green Bay Packers from 1992-97 tutoring running backs and receivers. In between those jobs, Haskell served as offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers from 1998-99.

The Browns have terminated the contract of receiver Donte' Stallworth, they announced in a one-sentence press release today.

Stallworth was reinstated by the league after Sunday's Super Bowl after being suspended for the 2009 season by commissioner Roger Goodell after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter. Driving in Miami Beach on March 14, Stallworth struck and killed pedestrian Mario Reyes. Stallworth served 24 days of a 30-day jail sentence and also reached a financial settlement with the Reyes family.

The NFL season may be over, but it's never too early to begin making bets for next season. Gambling Web site Bodog.com says the Browns are 100/1 long shots to make the Super Bowl.

No team has worse odds, but the same odds are given to Buffalo, Detroit, Kansas City, Oakland, St. Louis and Tampa Bay. They give the Colts the best odds at 13/2. Last night's big winners, New Orleans, is given a 10/1 shot of returning to the Super Bowl.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed during his state of the league press conference Friday that Browns receiver Donte' Stallworth will be reinstated ''after the Super Bowl on Sunday.''

Stallworth was suspended for the season after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter for a March 14 incident when he struck and killed pedestrian Mario Reyes in Miami Beach. Stallworth also served 24 days in jail and reached a financial settlement with the Reyes family.

Browns season ticket prices will not increase for 2010 and the cost for select seats will be reduced, the team announced Friday.

In the past seven years, the Browns have raised prices only twice and their prices remain among the lowest in the NFL. In a 2009 study by Team Marketing Report, the Browns' average ticket price was $54.65 and its average for a premium ticket was $198.47, below the NFL averages of $74.99 and $226.23, respectively.